Kane County

For those wanting to get their artwork out to the masses, Water Street Studios in Batavia is currently accepting artwork for gallery displays on both the first and second floor of their building. The deadline for artwork proposals is Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The show will feature guest judge and accomplished artist Steve Sherrell, B.F.A and M.F.A graduate from the Art Institute. Artwork will be displayed from Jan. 15 to April 16, and the pieces must meet the specific requirements which can be found under ‘gallery submissions’ at the Water Street Studios Web Site along with the necessary application. 

Questions on the juried exhibition and gallery submissions can be directed to Gallery Director Steven Lockwood at Sparktosparks@yahoo.com.

To help guide you to the myriad entertainment options ready to be unwrapped this holiday season, we’ve collected a sampling of some of the best shows, festivals and activities around.

Symphony sparkles

WHAT Returning to its regular venue by popular demand, Elgin Symphony Orchestra performs “Home for the Holidays,” featuring the Elgin Choral Union, Elgin Children’s Chorus and vocal soloist Nathaniel Stampley. He was featured on the orchestra’s Copland recording and was one of three actors who played the patriarch lion Mufasa in the Broadway production of “The Lion King.” Robert Hanson will conduct the rousing holiday arrangements for which the award-winning orchestra is known.
WHERE The Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin
WHEN 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
COST $28 to $62
CONTACT (847) 888-4000; www.ElginSymphony.org

Robert Hanson will conduct the Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays” performances with guest choirs and soloist Nathaniel Stampley of Broadway’s “The Lion King.” SUBMITTED PHOTO

State Street Dance Studio in Geneva will team up with a dozen local vendors to present their first “Christmas Boutique” from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at 9 N. Fourth St. For people attending the town’s Christmas Walk festivities on the same day, it is designed to be a one-stop-shop for gifts. Professional portrait photography taken with props from the “Nutcracker” ballet also will be featured.

A portion of proceeds from the special fundraiser will benefit State Street’s annual production of the holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker,” being performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, in the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles.

The professional portraits are taken by Megan Kelly Photography in Geneva. The $75 fee is a $180 value, says Linda Cunningham, the dance studio’s artistic director. Reservations for the photography are limited and requested by Nov. 16.

As an antidote to stressful schedules and solitary online pursuits, family game nights are back in a big way.

Whether they feature board game classics or playful new offerings, they stand ready to sharpen minds at any age.

“Game nights are more about staying close to family; people are enjoying the quiet, family moments,” says Rosaleen Tully, co-owner of Learning Express of Homer Glen.

She says Gather ‘Round Dinner Game is specifically designed to keep kids at the dinner table longer.

Antique stores littered downtown St. Charles more than 20 years ago, and the owners of The Filling Station Pub and Grill found a way to capitalize on it.

“The goal was to get (collectors) in here for a sandwich,” says Peter Milligan, who co-owns the restaurant with his older brother, Casey Milligan. Looking to attract antique lovers to the restaurant, the brothers found themselves becoming collectors. Today, hundreds of old photos and beverage signs – that are no longer produced – decorate the walls and ceilings of The Filling Station. An antique gas pump, which is probably from the 1920s and donated by a customer, sits in a corner of the restaurant.

The Filling Station server Julia Clements brings a Packard Caribbean Melt to a table. STAFF PHOTOS BY STEVE BITTINGER

When Noble Fool Theatricals presents its holiday show, "Plaid Tidings," at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 100 percent of ticket proceeds will benefit Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley.
 
“The Forever Plaid” four-part harmony group returns thanks to a heavenly phone call from Rosemary Clooney. The heaven-sent boys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) are back to sing songs of the Thirties, Forties and Fifties in a "Plaid-erized" version of Christmas. The show includes a comic tribute to Ed Sullivan’s Christmas spectaculars, featuring such performers as the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir.
 
“Donate any amount to Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley and receive ‘free’ tickets as our thanks,” says the agency. It notes regular ticket cost is $29 to $39. The show is presented at Pheasant Run, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.
 
For more information or to reserve tickets, call (630) 584-4428 or visit www.lvfv.org/events/theaterbenefit.

The Mother’s Club of Geneva presents its 35th annual Holiday Art and Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Geneva Community High School, 416 McKinley Ave.

More than 100 artists and crafters will take part. The event also features a lunch and Homestyle Bakery. Local children’s author David Algrim will be on hand to sign his children’s books.

Admission costs $4 for adults, and is free to children younger than 12. Organizers request no strollers. Proceeds from the event will benefit nonprofit organizations in the area. For more information, call Katie Tabor at (630) 345-4020 or visit www.mothersclubofgeneva.com.

Clarinet artist Kathryne Pirtle shares the adventuresome program for The Orion Ensemble’s next concert, featuring guest soprano Alicia Berneche, who has sung at the Lyric Opera, and Baird Dodge of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Addison resident is a founding member of the award-winning chamber group, which offers its series in Chicago, Evanston and Geneva. Just showcased on the “Live from WFMT” broadcast, Orion returns to the radio program March 22.

The Orion Ensemble musicians are Florentina Ramniceanu (from left), Kathryne Pirtle, pianist Diana Schmück, Judy Stone and Jennifer Marlas. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Beth Fowler School of Dance is opening a second location in St. Charles at 3720 Illinois Ave. A weekend dance workshop will be offered Nov. 14 and 15 before regular classes start Jan. 4. The school will offer classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, lyrical, modern, ballroom and creative dance.

The new dance studio’s recent open house was attended by parents, local dignitaries and St. Charles Chamber of Commerce representatives. Events included free dance classes, a tour of the 8,000-square-foot dance school facility, a performance by the Beth Fowler Dance Company, and a prize drawing for classes. SUBMITTED PHOTO

DO IT
Don’t let the end of summer and the start of chilly weather keep you out of the swimming pool. Take a plunge into water aerobics, a physical activity that gets you into shape and into the pool.

Water aerobics is a year-round activity for the Downers Grove Park District. The park district recently started its fall season water aerobics, but its winter season sessions, open to adults, begins mid-January.

Michelle Ochs, recreation supervisor for aquatics at the Downers Grove Park District, says the resistance of the water is what sets water aerobics apart from land aerobics. “It’s a little bit easier on the body because you still get that intensity, but there’s not as much pounding,” she says. “The resistance of the water builds strength.”